Month: March 2026

TWO towns are back on the railway map for the first time in 60 years after new stations finally opened.

New stops have welcomed passengers again following a massive £185million project to restore long-lost rail links across the West Midlands.

Willenhall and Darlaston stations now sit on the line between Shrewsbury and Birmingham New Street via Wolverhampton — giving locals a direct route into the city.

The first train pulled in early on Thursday morning, marking the end of decades without rail services.

Both stations were shut in 1965 during the infamous Beeching cuts, when more than 2,000 stations across the UK were shut down.

Services will now run roughly every hour on weekdays and Saturdays, with no trains stopping there on Sundays.

BACK ON TRACK

Train station with 7million passengers a year reopens after 10-month closure

TUBE TALK

Huge Hollywood star to lend legendary voice to iconic Tube station this week

Commuters can expect to pay around £8.90 for a peak return from Willenhall to Birmingham, or £6.40 off-peak, while Darlaston passengers will pay slightly less.

From Darlaston, a peak return costs £8 and an off-peak ticket is £5.90.

The stations come with lifts, shelters, ticket machines and cycle racks, plus parking for 300 cars at Darlaston and 33 at Willenhall.

Pat McFadden, the MP for Wolverhampton South East which covers Willenhall, used the new trains recently, describing them as “clean, modern and easy to use”.

He added: “This is going to save people a massive amount of time. It’s going to enable people to take up jobs they probably couldn’t have taken up.

“It’s a transport boost, it’s a morale boost and it’s an economic boost to both towns.”

Walsall Council leader Mike Bird said the openings are “a major milestone for communities and a real boost for the borough’s future”.

Frank Lampard hopes Matt Grimes’ “very classy” decision not to celebrate his goal against Swansea City will end the boos when the midfielder faces his old club.

Grimes was given an icy reception on his first return to the Swansea.com Stadium since ending a 10-year spell as a Swan when he joined Coventry City in January 2025.

Yet when he responded by scoring Coventry’s second goal in the Championship leaders’ 3-0 win on Saturday, the 30-year-old raised his hands in apology.

“A lot of people, maybe including me, would have had a little celebration having got booed, but it’s a sign of the man he is,” said Sky Blues boss Lampard.

At least six people on board a Qatari military helicopter have been killed in a crash in the Gulf state’s waters after a “technical malfunction”, the government said.

Seven people were on board, with Qatar’s interior ministry on Sunday saying operations continue ‌to find the last missing person.

“A Qatari helicopter had a technical malfunction during a routine duty, which led to its crash in the regional waters of the State,” the country’s defence ministry earlier said in a statement on X.

More to come…

Drone footage shows heavy damage to residential buildings in Arad, Israel, after an overnight Iranian missile strike.

ANASTACIA Kingsnorth has been a queen of social media since starting her YouTube Channel aged 11 – but now a fierce backlash is threatening her empire.

The Brit content creator, 25, has ventured into podcast hosting, has written her own book and been the face of many ad campaigns.

Yet this year, the TikTok star – who has a rumoured net worth of over £1million – faced a sticky spot after her boyfriend appeared to cause “jealous” tension with her pal, Love Island alum Saffron Barker.

And now fans have reacted in fury after her latest paid partnership with Air Up featured a clip created by AI.

Earlier this week, Oh Anna podcast host Anastacia took to her socials to upload a clip promoting the German based brand’s latest flavoured water.

Scenes showed a giant version of the star wearing a lemon polka dot co-ord as she strolled through the London streets.

read anastacia kingsnorth

BLUSHING BRIDE

BGT runner-up turned TikTok star reveals she’s married long term partner

TOK EARNER

TikTok star who collaborated with Ed Sheeran reveals how much money he makes

Her height meant she could scoop up a pink water bottle branded with the Air Up logo before she took a sip.

The slurp appeared to transport her into both a new location – the roof of Buckingham Palace – and a new denim pinstripe outfit.

She wrapped the clip by visiting locations including St Paul’s Cathedral and Big Ben.

Yet on TikTok, her followers have alleged she has used AI to create the scenes – and claimed the technology goes against Air Up’s environmentally friendly credentials.

Criticisms came from two angles – the nature of content creation as a creative process, and also for AI using huge volumes of water, seemingly going against green principles.

The Sun has gone to Anastacia’s rep for comment.

Fans have claimed Anastacia, whose content focusses on lifestyle, leisure and beauty, has abandoned the “creative process” with her latest venture.

One TikTok user, who works in marketing, ranted: “Honestly, I am not happy about it.

“And I don’t think a lot of people are, judging by the comments on the video”.

The Influencer Insider – Get all the gossip on all your favourite online stars

Want to know more about the influencer who faked cancer? Read all about Brittany Miller and her sham career here.

We have all the inside gossip about Ladbaby mum’s incredible weight loss here.

And talking of weight loss, we know all about what is going on with B&M queen Becki Jones, which you can read up on here.

If health influencers are your thing, then read this on the man behind Tonic Health and his dubious claims here.

She added: “It really cuts down on what content creation really is.

“If you work in marketing like myself you will know that this is totally wrong.

“The whole point of content creation is creative process”.

Fans of Anastacia, who has previously collaborated with ITV bosses for a Love Island promotion, continued to take to the comments in fury.

One simply posted: “Who’s idea was this?? Omg”.

A second mused: “I do like some of their content, but Ana and her family don’t seem hugely aware or maybe even that bothered by environmental issues unfortunately. (a LOT of consumption etc!)”.

A third added: “The funny part about it is , the ad is for a refillable water bottle (to try and tackle plastic waste etc) but then it the ad is literally AI!! you couldn’t write it honestly”.

A fourth mused: “The hypocrisy of these ‘influencers’ is gross tbh”.

“I’m surprised the brand approved it to be honest…says a lot about them too! I think being aware of the environmental impact AI has is important too”.

And another user surmised: “For me its the context of the ad being for a refillable water bottle while using AI which uses tons of water. It is a little ironic”.

Campaigners have previously flagged the significant carbon, energy and water use that AI requires.

Previously, Sasha Luccioni, climate lead at AI company Hugging Face told The Guardian: “What I’m worried about is that we’re deploying AI in such a way that we don’t have a good idea of the energy use.

“We’re essentially operating on the hypothesis that it’s not a problem – or that if it is a problem it will somehow be solved – instead of getting ahead of it.”

While Anastacia has posted the video to her Instagram grid, the brand is yet to feature it on their page.

AUSTIN, Texas — Hugo Lloris finished with two saves for LAFC in a record fifth straight shutout to begin a season, and Brad Stuver stopped the only shot he faced for Austin FC in a scoreless draw on Saturday night.

Lloris and LAFC (4-0-1) began the season with four shutout victories, just one of four teams in league history to accomplish the feat. His scoreless stretch of 450 minutes is the longest in league history to begin a season.

Lloris nearly surrendered his first goal of the season in the 63rd minute, but a Myrto Uzuni netter off a corner kick by Facundo Torres was disallowed after Ilie Sánchez was charged with a foul following a video review — and that led to a yellow card on Uzuni.

Neither keeper faced a shot on goal in a scoreless first half.

Austin (1-2-2) swept LAFC last year during the regular season but couldn’t get past the Western Conference stalwarts in the playoffs. Both of the club’s losses this season have come on the road.

LAFC eliminated Alajuelense on Tuesday to advance to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The club is 7-0-2 so far through all competitions.

LAFC began the day tied with the Vancouver Whitecaps for first place in the hotly contested West.

Up next for LAFC: vs. Orlando City at BMO Stadium on April 4.

SANTIAGO, Chile, March 20 (UPI) — Mining companies BHP and U.S.-based Freeport-McMoRan submitted two copper projects worth more than $12.5 billion combined to Chile’s Environmental Impact Assessment System, marking one of the clearest signs of a revival in mining investment in the country.

BHP, through Minera Escondida, the world’s largest copper producer, submitted the “Nueva Concentradora Escondida” project valued at $5 billion, which would allow it to continue operations by replacing the Los Colorados plant. That plant is at the end of its useful life.

The project includes an ore processing capacity of 460 thousands of tons per day in the Antofagasta region. If approved, it would begin operations between 2031 and 2032.

Minera El Abra, the Chilean subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan, is seeking to invest $7.5 billion to extend its operations by 40 years and increase its production by more than 300,000 metric tons of copper annually starting in 2033, once it becomes operational.

The initiative includes the construction of a concentrator plant, a desalination facility, among other projects.

Analysts say these investments respond to sustained growth in global copper demand, driven by electrification, power grids and the energy transition, although they also note that they are being accelerated by a shift in the local political environment after the arrival of a government led by José Antonio Kast.

As one of its first measures, the administration introduced the National Reconstruction Bill, which includes initiatives to reduce bureaucracy and streamline permitting.

The proposal includes lowering the corporate tax rate from to 23% from 27% to align it with countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz told local media this week that the government aims to offer clear rules, legal certainty and an agile, non-discriminatory process that respects the environment.

“This investment will move forward smoothly,” he said, referring to the Escondida project.

The president of the Chilean Mining Chamber, Manuel Viera, said about $18 billion in projects are stalled due to bureaucratic hurdles in the permitting process.

“And in just one week, the president of the republic has indicated that they should be unlocked. That is a sign that signal has been well received by investors, and we expect news like those of Escondida and El Abra to continue in the coming months because Chile also needs more and better mining,” he said.

Cristian Cifuentes, senior leader of studies and content at the Center for Copper and Mining Studies, or Cesco, told UPI that the announcements represent a clear indication of a revival in mining investment, although the trend already had been emerging without such concrete evidence.

“It is a validation of Chile as a competitive jurisdiction in a highly capital-intensive global context,” he said.

He added that while investment decisions respond to global copper demand, their execution depends “critically on local conditions: permitting, institutional stability and political signals.”

“Any improvement in regulatory certainty or pro-investment narrative accelerates decisions that, in many cases, were already in the pipeline. At the same time, these filings show that, despite recent regulatory tensions, the country maintains baseline conditions that allow investment decisions to move forward,” he said.

Víctor Frangi, managing director of Delivery & Transformation at KPMG Chile, said the country is creating more favorable conditions to activate projects, in an environment in which copper demand is projected to increase by about 40% by 2040.

“Chile approved the Framework Law on Sectoral Authorizations, which seeks to reduce permitting times by between 30% and 70%, along with the modernization of the Environmental Impact Assessment System regulations to focus evaluations on projects with significant impact,” he said.

Frangi said that Chile now offers greater business certainty and a more limited level of risk, which facilitates large-scale investment decisions.

Analysts warn, though that growing regional competition to attract mining investment exists.

“Countries such as Argentina have improved their macroeconomic environment and promoted initiatives such as the Incentive Regime for Large Investments, positioning themselves to attract large-scale projects, such as Vicuña, a joint venture between Lundin Mining and BHP, with an estimated investment of $18 billion,” Frangi said.

He added that Peru and even the Democratic Republic of Congo also show dynamism.

“Chile faces the challenge of remaining competitive against other destinations that are also capturing investment. There are replacement and efficiency projects, such as the new Escondida concentrator, and changes in the operating model, such as the advance of desalination as a standard in water use,” Frangi said.

Viera said mining companies are seeking more copper deposits amid growing global demand.

He added that armed conflicts between the United States and Iran, as well as between Russia and Ukraine, have disrupted the balance between supply and demand.

“They have broken the balance of supply and demand. As armed conflicts increase, demand rises for critical minerals used in weapons manufacturing. These are factors driving the search for copper, iron and other minerals, in addition to demand linked to the development of technologies associated with climate change,” he said.

The documentary series has been branded a must watch for fans of true crime

A harrowing BBC Two documentary will return to screens with another chilling episode that true crime fans are being urged not to miss.

Forensics: The Real CSI has returned for a brand new series plunging viewers into real life drama as it follows West Midlands Police Force, investigating serious crimes in real time.

In a race against the clock, viewers witness plenty of chaos as officers uncover horrific truths and a sense of urgency in their search for justice. The series also gives a deeper insight into the forensics work that puts together vital evidence during an investigation, with specialised officers often working with little to no evidence.

Branded the perfect watch for fans of 24 Hours in Police Custody, the BBC documentary series returned with a harrowing episode earlier this month, which viewers said left them “shocked”.

Another brutal episode is set to air tonight (March 22) at 9pm on BBC Two. A BBC synopsis reads: “In Cumbria, a 999 call comes in at 1.00: a supermarket cash machine is being broken into by a gang of thieves. They’re working at speed, using high-powered cutting equipment.

“They make their getaway before the police arrive, taking thousands of pounds. It’s the second cash machine in the county targeted in 24 hours.”

It continues: “Seventy miles away, reports of the Cumbrian raids are shared with a specialist West Midlands Police task force who have been chasing a prolific gang of organised criminals suspected of attacking cash machines around the country.

“Their method of breaking into the machines using specialist machinery known as the ‘jaws of life’ has led to them being named the JOL Gang.

“While the task force gathers intelligence in the West Midlands, Cumbria Police takes the lead on forensics. The investigation becomes more urgent when there’s a third attack in Cumbria.”

Taking to social media, one viewer described it as a “brilliant series”. Commenting on last week’s instalment, one viewer said: “Have you watched the latest The Real CSI episode 2 it’s brutal.”

A third added: “Forensics is absolutely fascinating.” One person said the new instalments had their “blood boiling”.

Previously, West Midlands Police promoted the harrowing series as one viewer commented: “I watched it last night. It was very eye opening. The forensics and camera and phone tracking and hacking were brilliant.”

Another said: “Just watched, truly disturbing.” A third added: “Best programme on the t.v, it’s scary the number of teenagers carry knives need to get them off the streets”

A fourth penned: “Easily the best programme on the tv at the moment. The work that the forensic experts do to bring a criminal to justice is unreal.”

Forensics: The Real CSI returns tonight at 9pm on BBC Two.

Before we enter the clouds on snow-capped Helvellyn, I glance back down at Ullswater. The early morning sun is bursting around the dark corners of High Dodd and Sleet Fell, sending a flush of light across the golden bracken and on to the hammered silver of the lake.

Further away to the south, ragged patches of snow cling to the high gullies. The nearest village, Glenridding, can barely be seen behind the leafless trees and all I can hear is the gurgle of the stream. It is the quintessential Lakeland scene: the steep slopes above the water, the soft colours and hard rock, all combining into something inimitable. And judging by the photographic and artistic record, it is one that has hardly changed since the Cumbrian wind first ruffled a Romantic poet’s curls.

Our best loved national parks – the Lake District, Peak District, Eryri (Snowdonia) and Dartmoor – all officially opened 75 years ago, in 1951. It was the result of a long campaign, arguably begun by one of those Romantics, William Wordsworth, a poet whose particular love for the Lakes led him to observe that the area should be “a sort of national property, in which every man has a right and an interest who has an eye to perceive and a heart to enjoy”. The resident of Dove Cottage at Grasmere fought, successfully, against railway building, noting the stupidity of destroying something precious in the pretence of increasing its influence.

That niggling dilemma has dogged the national parks ever since, but if Wordsworth were here now, I think he might approve, at least at first glance. The fate of some Alpine beauty spots has been avoided: no high-rise buildings break through the trees, no sports infrastructure litters the summits, and engineers have not blasted tunnels for bigger, faster, road and rail connections.

The planning process is tortuous, and woe betide anyone who likes a colour not in the Farrow & Ball catalogue, but our national parks survive, without sacrificing too much of their original charm.

Back in the 1970s my dad began taking me on his hiking trips. In those days, I didn’t share his excitement at “the views”, but I instantly grasped the magic of swimming under waterfalls, scrambling along ridges and sitting on mountain tops to eat hard-boiled eggs dipped in salt. He took us to all the national parks, and introduced us to their highlights. It was the start of a lifetime of exploration.

Dartmoor

The only area in England and Wales that has legal wild camping, Dartmoor is also the most threatened. A recent report detailed the sorry decline in biodiversity on its sites of special scientific interest (SSSI), but the truth is it remains in a better state than many other places. What makes Dartmoor special is the sheer extent of heathland: over 11,000 hectares of heather, gorse, bilberry and moor grasses, inhabited by birds, lizards, snakes and some rare butterflies. The top bird here is the red grouse, recently recognised as a distinct species, making it only the second reliably identifiable endemic British bird species.

Dartmoor’s reputation for other, more controversial species, is firmly established. On my first visit as a boy, I was reading The Hound of the Baskervilles and also glued to reports of escaped large cats. When we hiked past the infamous prison, and dad told us about “the Mad Axeman” inside, Dartmoor was firmly established in my head as the single most exciting area of Britain. I’ve never had reason to change that view.

Arguably the most evocative place is Wistman’s Wood, which is accessed from Two Bridges hotel, but popularity tends to destroy mystery and this is now an Instagrammed honeypot. Other excellent woodlands can be found down the Lydford Gorge near Tavistock or the Bovey Valley near Lustleigh, a village of thatched roofs where a cream tea is the acme of snackery. Try the Primrose Tearooms.

Nearby is Haytor Rocks, a magnet for climbers, and everyone else. It’s beautiful but popular. For tranquillity, try the military firing ranges: there’s nothing like an M115 Howitzer to deter most hikers, or perhaps it’s simply the need to check live firing times. It does seem to put visitors off, and there are wonderful viewpoints to be found, such as Yes Tor and High Willhays.

Eryri

In Eryri, the hunt for peace and tranquillity has one rule: avoid Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Any other peak will be quiet in comparison. If you must go up Wales’s highest mountain, I suggest taking a less-frequented path, like the Watkin or Rhyd Ddu and go early – and I mean headtorch early. Another good option is the Ranger Path (Cwellyn), where the wind blew me off my feet as a nine-year-old. You might escape the crowds, but you can’t escape the weather.

Yr Wyddfa’s Crib Goch, one of Britain’s greatest ridge scrambles, can be a bit of a trial when oversubscribed, but there are many fine alternatives. Try Crib Lem on Carnedd Dafydd, accessible from Bethesda, or the Idwal Staircase, a tougher challenge that some might prefer to do roped up. Steve Ashton’s book Scrambles in Snowdonia is the essential guide.

One feature I love about Eryri is the way its industrial heritage has been repurposed to contemporary needs: the various slate mine attractions and the steam railways go from strength to strength. Bala Lake Railway has started work on extending its line into Bala town, a significant addition.

Lake District

The opening of the first parks triggered a wave of interest in hiking and a demand for route information. Like many others, my dad discovered Alfred Wainwright, whose hand-drawn pictorial guides are still a good way to find routes. Wainwright’s own favourite was Haystacks Fell, with an ascent from Buttermere via Scarth Gap. My own initiation into the joys of scrambling started with Wainwright routes up Lord’s Rake on Scafell Pike and Jack’s Rake on Pavey Ark, both serious undertakings.

Scrambling and its sister sports, fell-running and scree-racing, have a proud history in Lakeland. Over in Wasdale, sheep farmer Joss Naylor was an inspiration. As a teenager, I witnessed his hell-for-leather approach to scree slopes, transforming them from places to be avoided into a new challenge.

Wasdale, with its historic inn, remains a favourite. If the trail to Scafell Pike is often busy, look out for classic treks like the Mosedale Horseshoe, taking in Pillar, a stiff challenge when torn shreds of cloud are whistling around your ears. For the sure-footed, the climbers’ trail passing beneath Napes Needle is another gem. The Needle is a satisfying climb with historic importance. Photos of early pioneers the Abraham brothers, standing on top in their 1890s hobnail boots, fuelled interest in the new sport of rock climbing.

Across to the east, the 17½-mile trek from Pooley Bridge to Troutbeck over High Street is an absolute gem, with sustained panoramas on a clear day. Another classic is theKentmere Round, which normally starts at St Cuthbert’s church, near Staveley. For sheer delight in Cumbrian topographical names, the Kentmere Round is a must: Yoke Fell is followed by Wander Scar, Toadhowe Well and Shipman Knotts, among others. The best advice is to find a fell with an unfamiliar name, get the OS map and devise a route. Asking a local also usually pays off.

After an epic day of snow and ice on Helvellyn, I take my own advice. I am staying at Another Place hotel along the Ullswater north shore. The lakeside panorama tells the tale of changing times: there are paddleboards and kayaks on the water; groups heading off on wild swims; and a mobile sauna by the shore. Hotel director and local man David Vaughan tips me off about a favourite walk, on nearby Gowbarrow Fell.

The path starts at Aira Force waterfall, a well-known attraction, and the car park is busy. Beyond the falls, however, things are quieter. At 481 metres, the Gowbarrow summit is not high, but the panorama is superb. Further on comes the real climax: a balcony walk around the contours and above the lake.

A kestrel swoops past, close enough to see the wind ruffle its chestnut feathers. At the end, the path drops down to the woods and there’s a young woman, hesitating. Her kit looks fresh from the packet.

“Is there any scrambling up there?” she asks nervously.

“No,” I say, noticing her immaculate nails. “But there’s lots of mud.”

She takes a deep breath and grins. “OK.” Then sets off. Joss Naylor, my dad and the Romantic poets would all be proud. Our parks are still doing their best for us.

Accommodation was provided by Another Place, The Lake, in Ullswater, which has double rooms from £125 B&B. Further information, visit nationalparks.uk

Some of the most impressive performances at UFC London came on the undercard.

Nathaniel Wood overcame the odds yet again to beat Losene Keita, while Mason Jones overwhelmed Axel Sola in a bruising back and forth fight of the year encounter.

Jones and Sola were covered in blood and breathing heavily by the end of their contest, with both fighters swinging until the final bell, using every last drop of energy.

Jones’ performance was the type that can have a lasting effect on a fighter’s career but he and Wood roused the fans on a night when the atmosphere was sometimes flat at the O2 Arena.

Fighters on the prelims like Wood and Jones don’t get as much media attention or promotion from the UFC – and strikingly less money than their headlining peers.

But in a sport that demands so much from the flesh and mind, there are arguments the athletes should be better looked after amid a changing landscape in combat sports.

Fighter pay has been questioned by athletes and the media recently after boxer Conor Benn secured a reported £11m one-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing.

Zuffa Boxing is owned by UFC president Dana White, so critics have asked why the 56-year-old isn’t paying similar amounts to his MMA fighters under contract.

The UFC gives about 20% of revenue to fighter pay, compared with boxers who get about 60% of revenue from their events.

London’s Wood, who has won 11 of 14 fights in the UFC, says he hopes the Benn deal will spark a change because he was “heartbroken” when he saw how much he would be earning.

“When you think I’ve been in the UFC for eight years, but I’m not on that, I”m not even on 1% of that,” Wood told BBC Sport before UFC London.

“Especially when I believe MMA is the tougher sport as well, but again I just try and control what’s in my hands and it’s got nothing to do with me.

“It was definitely heartbreaking to see someone is getting paid that much.”

Israeli settlers set fire to homes and vehicles near Jenin amid reports of widespread violence across the occupied territory.

Israeli settlers have torched homes and vehicles in at least two areas of the occupied West Bank, wounding at least one person, amid reports of settler violence across the Palestinian territory.

The Palestinian Wafa news agency, citing local sources, said Israeli settlers stormed the village of al-Fandaqumiya and the town of Seilat al-Dahr, south of Jenin, late on Saturday.

In al-Fandaqumiya, Israeli settlers set “homes and vehicles ablaze and damaged additional houses by smashing windows” as Palestinians “attempted to confront them and put out the fires”, the agency reported.

In Seilat al-Dahr, the settlers targeted several homes, attempted to set them alight and physically assaulted a resident, leaving him wounded.

Footage verified by Al Jazeera showed large fires burning inside homes in Seilat al-Dahr, and another house engulfed in flames in al-Fandaqumiya as residents frantically tried to extinguish them.

There was also an attack on Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron, where settlers wounded two Palestinians. Three others were arrested as settlers stormed the area under the protection of Israeli forces, Wafa reported.

The attacks, which took place late on Saturday during Eid al-Fitr celebrations, are the latest in a wave of settler violence in the occupied territory that has previously resulted in killings.

Other images and videos shared by Palestinian authorities showed settler attacks on the villages of Qaryut and Jalud, south of Nablus. In Jalud, a four-wheel-drive vehicle was seen completely burned out following the attack.

Violence was reported elsewhere across the occupied West Bank.

Near the town of Haris, west of Salfit, settlers gathered on the main road and pelted Palestinian vehicles with stones, according to Wafa.

In Ramallah, settlers near Rawabi Square on the Ramallah-Nablus Road threw stones at passing Palestinian-registered vehicles, with no injuries reported.

Similar incidents were reported in Tuqu, southeast of Bethlehem.

Settler violence in the West Bank has intensified in the shadow of Israel’s genocidal war on nearby Gaza.

More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops and settlers in the West Bank since the Gaza war began in October 2023, according to the latest United Nations figures.

In late February, Israeli settlers defaced and set fire to a mosque near Nablus in the occupied West Bank during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

In February, the UN Human Rights Council warned in a new report (PDF) that Israeli policies in the occupied West Bank – including “the systematic unlawful use of force by Israeli security forces” and unlawful demolitions of Palestinian homes – aim to uproot Palestinian communities.

Human rights groups say Israeli authorities have allowed the settlers to operate with total impunity in their attacks against Palestinians.

Israeli organisation B’Tselem has also accused its government of actively aiding the settlers’ violence “as part of a strategy to cement the takeover of Palestinian land”.

Elsewhere in the occupied West Bank, two Palestinians were injured on Saturday night by live fire from Israeli forces south of Tulkarem.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported that at least two people were wounded after being shot by Israeli forces at the Jabara checkpoint.

Movsar Evloev rallies after a point deduction against the unbeaten Lerone Murphy to win the contest in London.

Russia’s Movsar Evloev ‌overcame a point deduction for a foul to edge a majority ⁠decision win over ⁠Lerone Murphy at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 270 at the O2 Arena, likely punching his ticket to a title fight against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski ⁠in his next bout.

With the two fighters putting their undefeated records on the line to decide who will face the 37-year-old Australian Volkanovski for the belt, ⁠the bout turned into an intriguing clash of styles.

Evloev, who is known for his wrestling, tried to showcase his striking, while Murphy displayed some superb defensive work on the ground.

Murphy evaded the fearsome grappling attack of his Russian opponent for the ‌first two rounds of the five-round bout, using a selection of stiff right hands to keep him at bay. Evloev took the chance to exhibit some of the dangerous spinning strikes he has added to his repertoire since his last fight in December 2024.

Evloev finally managed to take the fight to the mat early in the third round, but Murphy was quickly ⁠back to his feet, uncorking a spinning back kick of ⁠his own shortly afterwards.

However, it was his opponent who finished the frame strongest with a big overhand right, followed up by a flurry of strikes.

His momentum was derailed somewhat when he landed ⁠a second kick to Murphy’s groin early in the fourth round, and referee Marc Goddard deducted a point from ⁠Evloev for the foul.

Knowing that the deduction could be ⁠decisive if the fight went to the judges’ scorecards, Evloev turned up his energy-sapping grappling attack in the fifth and final frame as he chased a finish, but again Murphy was able to ‌get back to his feet with relative ease.

Despite not really threatening to submit his opponent on the ground, it proved to be enough for the 32-year-old Evloev, ‌with ‌two of the judges scoring the fight 48-46 in his favour and the third scoring it a draw 47-47 after the point deduction was taken into account.

Emma Chawner, a legendary contestant on The X Factor, shared her impressive 16 stone weight loss journey amid the tragic loss of both her mum and dad as well as her dog

One of The X Factor’s most unforgettable contestants left fans stunned after revealing an astonishing 16-stone weight loss. Emma Chawner first captured public attention aged just 17 when she and her family had a memorable encounter with judges Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, Sharon Osbourne, and Louis Walsh after being turned away from the competition in 2007.

Now in her late 30s, Emma has achieved a stunning transformation, emphasising that her dramatic weight loss was accomplished entirely without surgery, as she revealed during a 2019 appearance on ITV’s Lorraine. Taking to Instagram at the time, Emma also shared striking before-and-after photographs, captioning one: “5years down and 16st 4 lost im still losing it but very slow now.”

Admirers were swift to praise her achievement, with messages including: “Fantastic, you look amazing,” and “You look so beautiful and pretty! Please remember weight can not be defined by age, weight, or gender. Your beauty has always shined through! I’m glad to see you! Bless you love!”

Speaking candidly to Lorraine, who had previously extended support to help her family tackle their weight struggles, Emma revealed that her motivation stemmed from the heartbreaking loss of her beloved pet dog and the emotional turmoil surrounding her parents’ separation. Tragically, Emma’s mother died aged 73 in January 2024, with her father passing away in December that same year.

Sadly, Emma was forced to start a GoFundMe in an attempt to raise £2,200 for her dad’s funeral, but only appeared to raise £820 through the website. At the time, she posted her appeal, saying: “I would appreciate any help towards he funeral because at time it’s really hard for me and to pay for it and I really want my dad to have a good send off any amount of money would be greatly appreciated.” Heartbreakingly, she continued: “I don’t have any family left people that know me I hate asking for help put this time i have no choice.”

In a candid conversation with Lorraine, Emma emphasised her weight loss resolve, stating: “No one’s pushed me to do it, I’ve done it all myself. I was always out of breath and diabetic.”

She refuted suggestions from doubters that she had undergone weight loss surgery and voiced her intention to shed a few more pounds, affirming: “I’m happy with how I am and it’s not far to go.”

Emma initially took a shot at fame on The X Factor in 2007 but was met with a firm rejection. Undeterred, she returned to the stage in 2009 alongside her sister Samantha, who married in XXX.

However, Emma faced another setback as she was handed four no’s from the judges, with Cheryl observing, “Emma, I have to say, you’re definitely more confident when you’ve got your sister with you. But nothing else has really improved unfortunately.”

With her singing aspirations momentarily put on hold, Emma participated in Lorraine Kelly’s Big Fat Challenge, a weight loss initiative. She continued her slimming journey after the show, attributing her success to a 30-day detox and healthy habits such as eliminating snacks and staying hydrated.

Prior to joining Lorraine’s programme and seeking advice from diet experts, Emma believed her size was due to genetics, asserting, “It’s not because of what I’ve eaten. It’s because of the genes in my family. Mum’s big, dad’s big, my sister’s big. No-one’s thin in our house.” She had previously been forced to live in a car after her family was reportedly booted out of their home.

After defeat to Klein in July 2022, Jones and UFC mutually agreed to not sign a new deal.

Reflecting on what alternative path he could have chosen, Jones gave an honest appraisal.

“I remember sitting down in my coach’s office after the whole thing in London because I was in a mess,” he recalled.

“My one coach said to me, ‘Look I think you need to go somewhere else and work with someone else because I don’t think I can give you what you need’.

“I said to him in tears at the time, ‘Please just stick with me, as long as you boys are in my corner I’ll go through anything’.

“They’ve stuck by me since then, and I can’t thank the boys enough.

“As long as those boys are there for me I’ll give them as much as they give me and I couldn’t ask for anyone else to stand by me and help me reach the top.”

For Jones there really was no other possibility than to stick to chasing his UFC dreams.

“I had an acknowledgment on this camp when I was running through the mountains, and I chose this life.

“I know it’s a weird thing to say, but every day I wake up I choose this life.”

Jones admitted the easy thing would have been to go and get a job.

“I could literally at any time just think, no, I’m done, and get a different job that pays on a weekly basis,” he added.

“After I left London I didn’t get paid for two years, I racked up credit card debt, and family members and friends told me to quit.

“I had a family business I could have gone into, done more with school.

“But for me fighting is what’s in my blood and fighting is what I want to do.”

March 20 (UPI) — The White House released a new legislative framework for artificial intelligence creating a federal policy to prevent states from making their own laws about it.

“The Administration recognizes that some Americans feel uncertain about how this transformative technology will affect issues they care about, like their children’s wellbeing or their monthly electricity bill,” a White House press release said. “These issues, along with other emerging AI policy considerations, require strong federal leadership to ensure the public’s trust in how AI is developed and used in their daily lives.”

The framework lists six areas where legislation is needed: protecting children and empowering parents, “to give parents tools such as account controls to protect their children’s privacy and manage their device use”; safeguarding and strengthening American communities, “through economic growth and energy dominance”; respecting intellectual property rights and supporting creators, by “enabling AI to thrive while ensuring creativity continues propelling our country’s greatness”; preventing censorship and protecting free speech, “AI cannot become a vehicle for government to dictate right and wrong-think”; enabling innovation and ensuring American AI dominance, by “calling on Congress to take steps to remove outdated or unnecessary barriers to innovation”; and educating Americans and developing an AI-ready workforce, by “encouraging Congress to further workforce development and skills training programs.”

President Donald Trump‘s administration has embraced AI. But in December, he signed an executive order for a single national regulatory standard on the industry.

He posted on Truth Social in early December: “There must be only One Rulebook if we are going to continue to lead in AI. We are beating ALL COUNTRIES at this point in the race, but that won’t last long if we are going to have 50 States, many of them bad actors, involved in RULES and the APPROVAL PROCESS.”

He then described the consequences if states all create laws.

“THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT ABOUT THIS! AI WILL BE DESTROYED IN ITS INFANCY! I will be doing a ONE RULE Executive Order this week,” he wrote. “You can’t expect a company to get 50 Approvals every time they want to do something. THAT WILL NEVER WORK!”

The press release said the administration wants to work with Congress to create a bill in the coming months that follows the framework.

Lawmakers in New York, California and other states have worked to enact their own state-level regulations, which AI industry leaders oppose.

They argue that a “patchwork” of laws would stifle innovation and give other competitors like China an advantage.

Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, in a Friday press release, said, ″The White House’s national AI legislative framework will unleash American ingenuity to win the global AI race, delivering breakthroughs that create jobs, lower costs, and improve lives for Americans across the country.”

It does so while reining in challenges, he added.

“At the same time, it tackles real concerns head-on — protecting our children online, shielding families from higher energy costs, respecting creators’ rights, and supporting American workers — so every citizen can trust and benefit from this incredible technology,” Kratsios said.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to ‘obliterate’ Iran’s power plants if Tehran fails to open the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels within 48 hours. This major escalation comes as Trump faces pressure over skyrocketing domestic energy prices due to the now three-week-long war.

TIKTOK star Becki Jones has defended her amazing weight loss as trolls continue to accuse her of using fat loss jabs or getting surgery.

The influencer rose to fame on the video streaming platform back in 2020 and after a six month break last year, returned to TikTok sporting a much slimmer frame.

Becki told her 1.3 million followers during a TikTok Live last year that she “wasn’t ready” to share how she’d transformed her image but in her latest video, said she’d been through some of the hardest times in her life while losing weight.

In the video she posted a montage of moments from recent months that showed her swimming in a pool, going to concerts, showing off cute outfits and working out in her room.

In a voiceover she started by saying that she doesn’t understand why she has to explain every detail of her life to strangers.

“Yes, I do put myself on a public platform. Yes, I post my life. But why should I have to defend myself against people’s thoughts on my weight loss?” she began.

SOCIAL SECRETS

Becki Jones makes cryptic comment about ‘not being honest’ after weight loss

DI-WOAH

Becki Jones treats her parents to lounge makeover but trolls mock ‘silly’ detail

“I’ve said I have not had surgery in any form or any medication to help aid weight loss.

“In 2023, I even considered gastric sleeve surgery myself but I changed my mind.”

Becki continued: “As you can imagine it is exhaust trying to prove something to people who don’t want to change their mind about you.

“I feel like I am an easy target for people to bully because that’s what broke me last year.”

The influencer said that while she did understand that some of her followers wanted to learn about her weight loss, others thought she owed them an explanation.

“I simply and politely don’t want to talk about it.

“I’ve been through some of the worst times of my life whilst losing weight and still some days are hard now and now I’m being a little closed off and only letting a few things out, but can we just stop and think about how things affect me?” Becki asked.

“Yes, I feel good in myself most days, but I have hard days just like every human does.

“I have my own fears and problems that I’m trying to overcome each day, which makes talking about weight loss Extremely difficult.”

She explained how a lot of her followers “speculated on things” happening in her life, “and one day I may talk more deeply about it all but it’s hard as a content creator to tell your story without being judged.”

Becki went on to thank her “loyal supporters” for their support and who “compliment my weight without wanting an explanation”.

She became famed on TikTok for her ‘what I eat in a day’ videos, which showed her enjoying foods such as McDonalds for breakfast, takeaways and treats.

Last year, a source told The Sun why Becki really left social media, and why she returned.

They explained: “Everyone knows Becki took six months offline because she felt the trolling had become too much.

“It was a real chance to reflect on her life and the main cause of issues – her weight. She’s also a secret smoker, so really did start to feel like her lifestyle wasn’t doing her any favours. 

“Once she started losing some weight, she felt a new wave of confidence and when she returned online and saw the reaction to the way she looked, it really spurred her on.”

They added: “It’s the same when she was larger and the more she ate, the more people watched her videos. At the end of the day, it’s all about engagement and making money. It’s addictive.”

Some surprising items are restricted under airport security rules when travelling with hand luggage only

If you’re jetting off this Easter and planning to cram your essentials into a carry-on bag, there are certain items that could land you in hot water without you even realising.

Hand luggage liquids generally need to be under 100ml to pass through airport security, including water bottles, face oils, moisturisers and hand gel.

However, some items that aren’t technically liquids can still cause issues at security. Fulton Umbrellas have put together a list of some surprising items you can and can’t take with you on your journey.

First up is soft cheese, which if you’re travelling back to the UK from the EU, falls under the 100ml limit. The same applies for jams, chutneys, sauces and anything sold in liquid form like antipasti or olives, reports the Express.

Some countries have even stricter rules when it comes to travelling with food, so always check before you pack.

Another item to avoid packing in your carry-on is protein powder. This is because powders can interfere with x-ray machines and will therefore need to be manually checked by staff.

This can be a time-consuming process, so it’s quickest and safest to just leave it at home. And if you really can’t do without it, pop it in your checked bag.

Surprisingly, in the UK, there is one item you are permitted to take on board that you might not expect. If you’re only taking carry-on luggage but fancy indulging in a bit of arts and crafts on the plane, you are allowed to bring a small pair of scissors on board.

The standard guideline in the UK is that any pair of scissors with a blade length less than 6cm is permissible.

For anything larger, it’s advisable to pack them in your checked luggage. Different airlines may have varying regulations regarding items with blades, so it’s wise to verify if you need to carry scissors with you.

Karim Khan has denied the allegations and took voluntary leave from his position in May.

Judges have cleared the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, of all wrongdoing after an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct, Middle East Eye reports.

A report by Middle East Eye published on Saturday said a panel of three judges submitted a confidential report to the court’s oversight body, the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), on March 9.

“The Panel is unanimously of the opinion that the factual findings by [The UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services] OIOS do not establish misconduct or breach of duty under the relevant framework,” the report concluded, according to the sources cited by Middle East Eye.

The OIOS investigation was commissioned by the head of the ASP in November 2024 after a member of Khan’s office accused the prosecutor of sexual misconduct.

In August last year, a second woman came forward and alleged that Khan had abused his power over her while she was working for the British lawyer.

The woman had described his behaviour to UK newspaper The Guardian last year as a “constant onslaught” of advances.

Khan has denied the allegations and took voluntary leave from his position at the ICC in May, while awaiting the inquiry’s results. His deputy prosecutors have been in charge of his office in his absence.

According to Middle East Eye, the ASP met on Monday to discuss its response to the panel’s report. Under the court’s rules, if the bureau determines that no misconduct has occurred, the investigation should be closed.

The ASP has 30 days from receiving the report to make its preliminary assessment of the alleged sexual misconduct. Khan will then have 30 days to respond, and the bureau will have another 30 days to make its decision.

Khan declined to comment on the report, the outlet said.

The allegations of sexual misconduct came as Khan’s office was pursuing an investigation into alleged war crimes and genocide by Israeli officials and forces in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory.

Khan sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his then-defence minister, Yoav Gallant, over “criminal responsibility” for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

He also sought arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials over the alleged unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children during Moscow’s ongoing war on Ukraine.

One of the missiles fired reportedly failed in flight, while the other was intercepted by a US warship. The BBC understands the reports are accurate. There are doubts whether Iran has missiles which are capable of reaching Diego Garcia, which is about 2,350 miles from Iran.